While a blinkered Rock On Ruby set out to make every yard of the running last month, on this occasion Hurricane Fly’s stable companion Thousand Stars played pacesetter.

Rock On Ruby went to the lead rounding the home turn As the pace gradually increased, but Walsh was sat motionless aboard the Willie Mullins-trained superstar.

Once given his head on the run towards the final flight, Hurricane Fly quickly sealed the deal, hurdling fluently and picking up well on the run-in to win in hugely impressive fashion.

With Walsh saluting the crowd, Thousand Stars (14-1) got back up to beat Rock On Ruby to give Mullins a one-two.

Walsh said: “He’s an incredible little horse.”

Mullins said: ``He did a fantastic bit of work last Saturday and he proved it again today.

“He’s done everything nice and everything went according to plan.

“Rock On Ruby tried to unsettle things coming round the last bend with a manouvre, but Ruby was cool and calm on our fellow.”

Hurricane Fly was securing his 16th victory in Grade One company.

Mullins said: “He can handle any conditions and it’s great to have a man like Ruby on him. Paul (Townend) does a lot of work on him at home.

“Himself and Quevega did a piece of work which blew me away last weekend, but Champagne Fever worked very well as well and he ran disappointingly on Tuesday, so we were keeping our fingers crossed all week the work was as good as it looked.

“When Rock On Ruby made his move to join Thousand Stars it suited Ruby (Walsh) as he had something to bring him into the straight.

“When his (Rock On Ruby’s) challenge fizzled out, Ruby just let our fellow rock and roll.

“He hasn’t many miles on the clock so hopefully we can keep him fresh and he’ll keep coming back.

“If you mind National Hunt horses you’ll get four, five or six years out of them.”

Mullins admits he is keen on a tilt at the three-mile-one-furlong French Champion Hurdle for Hurricane Fly, but it seems more likely he will instead be given a summer break.

“I’d love to have a crack at the French Champion Hurdle. I’ve no doubt he will stay,” said the champion trainer.

“Dawn Run did the treble (Irish Champion Hurdle, English Champion Hurdle and French Champion Hurdle) and I’ve no doubt he could, but we’ll probably put him away.

“Hopefully we get him back in the same form next autumn. You’re always scared of younger horses coming through and you have to give them respect.

“They can improve a stone, whereas my fellow won’t.”